Assault Weapons Seized From Concord Care Home For Seniors, Infants

CONTRA COSTA, CA — Authorities seized assault weapons and other firearms from a Concord residential care home housing elderly residents and infants.

California Department of Justice agents found 11 firearms, including eight assault weapons, at the facility, Attorney General Rob Bonta announced today.

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They discovered the weapons Oct. 29 following an investigation into the care home, according to Bonta.

Agents arrested an employee, Alekisanita Mataele, suspected of importing an assault weapon, being in illegal possession of an assault weapon, importing a large-capacity magazine, and improperly storing guns where a child or prohibited person could access them.

Mataele faces one felony count of importing an assault weapon, nine felony counts of illegally possessing an assault weapon, one felony count of importing a large-capacity magazine, and one misdemeanor count of improperly storing a firearm where a child or prohibited person could gain access.

The complaint against Mataele includes several AR-style rifles, a compact 9mm rifle, a 7.62-caliber AK-style pistol, and what appears to be a 9mm semiautomatic handgun.

"A residential care setting is supposed to be a sanctuary of safety and protection," Bonta said in a news statement. "Introducing firearms into an environment dedicated to providing care raises serious concerns about the well-being of those who depend on these facilities as well as the safety of the individuals working in the facilities."